Dr. Timothy Flanigan is the founder of Star Kids and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He grew up in New York and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1979 and Cornell University Medical College in 1983. He is currently the head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University. He is the co-founder of the RISE Program in Providence.

Suzanne Petronello is the Executive Director of Star Kids and was hired to initiate Star Kids in February 2000. Originally from New York, she holds a Masters Degree in Education and a Reading Certification. She was a classroom and remedial reading teacher. Sue has been an active community volunteer for many years.

Judy Zwirblis joined Star Kids in 2006 as the Associate Director. She brings well rounded experiences in the field of education and leadership to Star Kids and her enthusiasm for the betterment of at-risk children is an asset for the expansion of Star Kids in New Bedford. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a Masters in Theology
and is also a graduate and former teacher at the Rhode Island School of Photography. She created and implemented a character education curriculum and has developed workshops for training teachers.

Providing educational opportunities to low-income, high-risk children